Description
Seated in the classic meditation posture on a lotus, the Buddha's right hand forms the gesture of charity (varadamudra). Rarely is the historical Buddha Shakyamuni represented with this gesture while seated, but it is the distinctive gesture of the transcendental Buddha Ratnasambhava. Hence, very likely, this figure once was part of a group of the five Buddhas and portrays Ratnasambhava, or the "jewel born." An unusual feature of this Buddha image is the treatment of the head. The face differs from comparative pieces because of the small, slit eyes, relatively flat, flaring nose, and small mouth. The smooth curls of hair appear like symmetrical rows of pearls both on the head and the bump (ushnisha).